13 Count your chickens before they hatch
Though he had barely stayed long in his new life, Mei Deng had already witnessed a tragic death of a loved one, a face slap at the college, and now, a marriage proposal for his sister from some belligerent general had arrived.
"It says here, that the wedding is merely an alternative meant to help our end to ease the debt father left behind." Mei Deng read on, grasping some knowledge on the situation.
Chunhua who looked like she had seen a ghost slumped down on the floor, resting her chin on her palm in defeat.
"General Wang huh?" Mei Deng stared at the name with some animation, "what's he like?" He blurted out in a far too level headed manner.
Chunhua immediately snapped out of her delusions and went on her knees in front of the young master, a remorseful expression on her face.
"We are better off paying off the debt we owe young master, getting involved with the Wang family will only put us at a loss. Young miss Daiyu is too ambitious and cannot be the wife to a general." Huahua explained, obviously beating around the bush.
Mei Deng's eyes darted from her pleading to all the letters laid out in front of him, all claiming his father had left behind an unpayable debt.
"That sly fox! How dare he ascend to the heavens knowing he has so much debt to his name?! I should sue his soul!" The wronged son cried out in anger, staring at the number of zeros behind each amount.
"But it is safe to assume that our family holds some sway in the society, and we must have some money prepared for such emergencies." He deduced, still clutching unto the letter from the Wang family.
Chunhua who was only glad that the topic of marriage was off the table, stood from her position with a bright smile plastered on her face.
"Yes, seeking help and repaying the debts should be our only priority." She answered, counting her words to ease the tension she felt.
Just as Mei Deng was about to pick up the next letter and read through it, a heavy stone flew into his room through the open window, nearly hitting the side of his head.
Due to his swift reflexes, he was able to dodge the attack in the nick of time.
"Young master!" Chunhua cried out, rushing in to try and save him.
Mei Deng who was still stunned, wasn't able to recover fast enough before even more stones flew into his bedroom, crashing into all sorts of valuables.
The stones were accompanied by the sound of angry protesters all perched outside like flies, disturbing the peace of the pavilion.
"It must be angry creditors!" Chunhua exclaimed over the noise, opening the door for both of them to retreat through.
Mei Deng who hadn't guessed that far, pulled her by the arm then ran outside of the room, only to crash into his sister and mother who ran around frantically.
His sister was bleeding from the side of her head, and his mother was cursing all of the servants, accusing them of being traitors who let the protesters inside.
"What are we going to do? They will tear down the entire household!" His mother cried out, neglecting her child who was barely able to stand properly.
Mei Deng scanned the area and found a spot where no stones could reach. "There." He said, and grabbed his sister by the wrist, using his body to shield her from the attacks.
Chunhua and his mother exchanged confused glances with one another, as to what Mei Deng was planning to do in such a crisis.
Mei Deng rested his sister against a pillar and ran to get the first aid kit. 'It's a good thing Yu Xiaoguang is always getting injured and knows where the first aid kit is.' he thought to himself, whilst he hurried into the kitchen.
The heart of the assault.
Yu Daiyu watched as her wild brother returned holding a first aid kit in his hands, a gentle look in his eyes. She also took note of the little bruises he had sustained from trying to help her.
"Stay still and just keep your focus on me, we have to stop the bleeding before the blood starts to clot." He said in a professional tone, pouring all of his attention to treating his younger sister.
'Is this truly elder brother Xiaoguang?' she thought to herself in astonishment, surprised he knew how to treat wounds.
**********
*Wang Residence*
Wang Tengfei marched up to his father, who was standing on the bridge over the pond, staring at the fish in the water.
This would be the third time that day, his father had called to see him, ever since he dispatched the letter of engagement to the Yu family house.
"Have you received any feedback from them? Or was the stubborn general rejected without consideration?" His father asked, mocking his son.
"Not quite, I received information that Yu Xiaoguang attends the imperial college and has only recently arrived home." Tengfei answered.
"Is he not two years younger than you?" His father pried, far too interested in small talks.
"I believe we shall hear a good report from them before night fall." He said, brimming with confidence it hurt the eyes of his father.
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch." His shameless father retorted, ignoring the fact that he was the one imposing the marriage on his son.
"May I ask why you are so keen on an alliance with the Yu family? They are currently swimming in debt, and have a bad rep in the capital." Tengfei deduced, unsure as to what his father was strategizing.
"Don't ask me questions and just do as I have said. Or do you mean to say that seeking their approval is a task too difficult for even you?" His father rhetorically asked, cocking a sly grin at a chance to mock his son.
"Don't lump me in with you father, I do not yield when faced with a battle. Before tomorrow sets in, the Yu family will certainly give us a reply." The young general announced with zeal, making a motion to turn and take his leave.
Only to meet with two of his troops half way, whom he had sent to keep tabs on the Yu family house.
"General Wang, we have come with the latest report on the happenings at the Wang family house." His subordinate stated, bowing their heads to both men of the Wang house.
"Tell me, what is the current situation?" He asked with no interest in his tone.
"Angry protesters have swarmed the area, and are throwing stones, we thought to tell you before we take any form of action."
"Fine. Take three more men with you and head straight for the house. Do not cause a scene and I want no casualties, your mission is purely a rescue mission. Make sure not to leave without them knowing you are from the Wang family residence." The general instructed as though he were on the battlefield.
His father rolled his eyes and folded his arms, bored of how his son handled things.
"Wouldn't be surprised if you staged the attack." The ex general mused to himself, loud enough for Wang Tengfei to hear him.
"Now go." He ordered his men, dismissing them without batting an eye. Fate was playing into his hands by giving him the role of the Knight and shinning armour. Or so he thought.
Just as those two subordinates of his ran off, two more of his other spies returned, with shocked expressions on their faces.
They appeared to be out of breath, seeing as they first of all stopped to catch their breaths.
"What has happened?" Tengfei asked, under the impression that perhaps something chaotic had transpired before his forces were able to reach the Yu residence.
"Yu...Yu..." The taller looking one struggled to say, still at a miserable loss for words.
"General Wang, Yu Xiaoguang has beaten up all the protesters and scared them off. As we speak, no one in the capital dares to lurk around the Yu family house." His spy informed him, singing Yu Xiaoguang's praises.
